Kukla's Korner Hockey

With many successful coaches in the NHL, it can be difficult for aspiring coaches to reach the most prominent League in the sport. This season, though, there’s been somewhat of a breakthrough, and it’s due to the number of talented coaches the American Hockey League has produced.

Entering this season, nine coaches who began the 2007-08 campaign behind an AHL bench were at the top level. With only 30 teams in the NHL. Just last week, Cory Clouston became the ninth when he took over for Craig Hartsburg behind the Ottawa Senators bench.

NHL.com takes a closer look at the 10 AHL head coaches who have moved to the NHL this season.

Cory Clouston— Cory Clouston was at the halfway point in his second AHL season with the Binghamton Senators when he got the call from Ottawa General Manager Bryan Murray to replace Craig Hartsburg.

continued… with the other nine coaches who’ve made the NHL jump this past year